Tag: Child of God

I was reading Genesis 17 last week – God making a covenant with Abram changing his name to Abraham and God changing Sarai’s name to Sarah promising her a child. Immediately I thought of Saul becoming Paul and then the question, “Why does God give new names?”

As I pondered that question, I started thinking through the similarities between these 3 instances. In all 3 situations, God is doing a new thing. He is marking an inner transformation with a tangible, lasting reminder of the old passing away and the new being brought to life.

God has done & is doing a new thing in us. Just as God made a covenant with Abraham, a promise to Sarah and a transformation in Paul. How has God marked His covenant with us? What name have we been given?

Wounded has been named Healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Forsaken has been named Treasured. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

Lost has been named Found. (Luke 15:6-7)

Blind has been named Sight. (Psalm 146:8)

Unwanted has been named Child of God. (Galatians 3:26-27)

Depressed has been named Joy. (James 1:2-3)

Unloved has been named Chosen. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Captive has been named Freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” -Isaiah 43:19